Hundred Percent Acceptance

The struggle of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people for equal rights has moved
to center stage. LGBT people are battling for their civil rights in Congress, in courtrooms and in
the streets.

LGBT people continue to face real discrimination in all areas of life. No federal law prevents a
person from being fired or refused a job on the basis of sexual orientation. The nation's largest
employer - the U.S. military - openly discriminates against gays and lesbians. Mothers and
fathers lose child custody simply because they are gay or lesbian, and gay people are denied the
right to marry.

Love is a beautiful thing. It makes people happy. It can change you, and show you things that
you never knew about yourself. It lifts you up, knowing there is always someone who will stand
by your side through anything. It brings people together, and makes the world a better place.

When you hear the word “marriage,” what comes to your mind? Is it long white dresses and
dapper tuxedos, or a towering cake and beautiful flowers? Do you think of sappy love songs and
the first dance? Do you imagine a fairytale come true, with a horse and carriage whisking you
and your new spouse away from the church in which you said your vows? No matter what comes
to your mind, most people can agree that marriage is happy, and wonderful, and beautiful. But
for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, community across America, marriage
is but a distant dream.

it was reported that in the year 2007, almost 9 out of 10 LGBT teens were verbally harassed at
school strictly because of their sexual orientation. About 44% of LGBT teens were physically
harassed, and 22% were physically assaulted. The worst part is that two-thirds of these kids and
teens never reported the incidents (“Bullying & Homosexuality). Kids and teens often make fun
of gays without even realizing the harsh degree of what they are saying or doing, and they do not
understand how badly their words and actions can hurt. This is why almost a quarter of LGBT
teens think about or even attempt suicide each year, a percentage four times higher than that of
heterosexual teens (“Massachusetts”).

If the constitution promises equality before the law, what justification can there be for clearing
rights to any member of society? More specifically what justification can there be for clearing
rights to gays and lesbians? Lots of questions come to mind when the topic of gays and lesbians
having equal rights

50% of all gay and lesbian youths report that their parents reject them due to their sexual
orientation. In a study of male teenagers self-described as gay or bisexual, 27% moved away
from home because of conflict with family members over sexual orientation. (Remafedi, 1987, as
cited in “Today’s Gay Youth,” n.d., n.p.)

26% of gay and lesbian youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts over their sexual
orientation. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1989, as cited in “Today’s Gay
Youth,” n.d., n.p.)

It appears that the lack of support, protection, and guidance from family also has a major effect
on LGBT youths. Perhaps, if their families were more supportive, the suicide and depression
rates of LGBT youths would be moderately less. I believe that parents should embrace their
children no matter what their sexual preference is. For an adolescent, I think that family should
be the primary source for seeking support and guidance. When parents reject their gay or lesbian
adolescent, I feel that it can possibly set him or her up for failure. This era is the time when
adolescents would need their parents’ love and support the most. I also sense that when LGBT
youths don’t get the love and support that they are looking for from parents, it contributes to their
state of depression and suicidal phase. Therefore, parents of LGBT youths should take time to
reflect on the circumstances before they make the wrong decisions.

Many people are guilty of discrimination against LGBT youths, whether consciously or
unconsciously. LGBT youths are faced with daily discrimination from society, peers, family and
even school teachers and administrations.

Let's start out with the facts. The evidence. The nitty-gritty of all this debate. One out of ten
people are gay or lesbian. So there's about twenty-eight people in this class, am I right? So that's
at least two people that are gay, technically. But if your friend was gay, would you hate them for
it? Would you turn around to be the face of injustice and all that is unfair? Would you be the
person translating hate to your friend because he or she is homosexual? Would you be the so-
called 'friend' that is the image of degrading human rights?

Apparently, in the Bible, gay marriage is sin. Yet, you say: "God loves everyone." Yet, it's
alright to SELL your children into slavery. Yet, it's alright to DISCRIMINATE someone because
he or she likes the same sex. How does this work?

I envision a world where people can openly admit they are gay without feeling oppressed or
scared of the reaction.

I envision a world where a same-sex marriage occurs without any fuss from religion and/or
politics. By accepting homosexuality instead of denying it, we are now creating a healthier
atmosphere for all. I want to go home next week thinking that we have made a change for the
lesbian, bisexual, gay and transsexual community for all.

Because all this world needs is a bit of love.